Taking Keilyn to King's Cross: Via Swiss Cottage and Baker Street

Keilyn's LNER Azuma train to Peterborough.

Saturday July 19, 2025.

Since Keilyn had broken up from school, on Friday, we had spoken with some friends, in Peterborough, who were happy to have her come and stay for the week. All we had to do was get her there, and they would take care of the rest, bringing her home on the following Friday.

Her train was due to leave King's Cross station at 12:03, so we made sure that we left in plenty of time.

With her suitcase packed, Keilyn and I headed off to Watford Metropolitan station, in a taxi, thus avoiding the light drizzle that had begun to fall.

We boarded a Baker Street-bound train, on Platform 1, and were soon speeding towards London, as a soft drizzle fell from the clouds. 

London Transport Griffin.

As we approached Finchley Road we grabbed the bags and alighted the train, quickly boarding a Stratford-bound Jubilee line train in its last carriage. Moments later we arrived at Swiss Cottage, where we alighted and began looking for the eighteen decorative tiles, designed by Harold Stabler, that adorn this and a few other stations. Although I had photographed many of them before, two had eluded me, so we walked the length of the platform, finally capturing the last tile. 

A train at the end of the tunnel and Harold Stabler's 'Berkshire' tile.

A few more photographs of the platform and a train, that I could see through the interconnecting tunnel, were taken before our train pulled in.

A few stops later and we arrived at Baker Street. We travelled up the escalators and clambered up the stairs, towards Platform 1, and headed straight for the Starbucks kiosk. 

With drinks purchased we headed towards platform 5, where we caught a Circle line train to King's Cross.

The Great Northern Hotel.

Once we had alighted we made our way out of the station, via the subway, and came out into King's Cross Square, where we were met with torrential rain. We stood beneath the canopy for a few minutes, finishing our drinks, while watching those dressed in summer clothes running for shelter, their clothes soaked.

With drinks finished Keilyn and I took a slow walk towards the entrance of King's Cross station, dodging those who had arrived at the station, unaware of the weather, dashing for cover.

Keilyn and Sir Nigel Gresley.

Once inside we checked the giant information boards, discovering that her train was 'on time', before checking out the rest of the station and taking a photo of her with the statue of Sir Nigel Gresley. We then stood and waited for the platform designation to appear... platform 3. 

Two LNER Azuma trains at King's Cross station.

Keilyn pulled up her e-ticket on her phone as we made our way to the ticket barrier, scanning her ticket, while I spoke with one of the LNER representatives, who let me through the gate. As we turned down onto platform 3, with her LNER Azuma train to our left, I realised that we were at carriage 'M'. Keilyn was seated in carriage 'D', at the other end of the platform... so on we walked.

Finally we reached carriage 'D', after walking what seemed like a couple of hundred metres. Keilyn climbed the steps, discovering her seat '01' was right by the door, while I stowed her suitcase in the luggage area. After the obligatory photo of her in her first class seat, we hugged and said our goodbyes. 

I then stood on the platform for a bit, before making my way back towards the exit, still feeling a little nervous about Keilyn travelling solo. But, she has a good head on her shoulders, sometimes, so deep down I knew that she would be okay. I just hope that she doesn't develop a taste for always travelling first class.

Minutes later her LNER Azuma accelerated out of the station, whisking Keilyn off on her merry way to Peterborough. 

After explaining to the lady at the ticket barrier that I had helped my daughter onto the train, hence no ticket, she smiled and let me exit the station.

I have to say a big 'thank you' to all of the LNER staff who not only helped me, but who also made Keilyn's first solo trip so memorable.

The rain was still heavy as I made my way across King's Cross Square, heading towards Euston Road. Deciding that the weather may make for some good photos I began snapping shots, before deciding to make some short videos. I then walked by St Pancras International before heading to the St. Pancras, London, Autograph Collection - Marriott.

The rain didn't look to let up any time soon, so I made my way into King's Cross station, where I caught an Uxbridge-bound Metropolitan line train to Baker Street, which delivered me to platform 2. 

All points north from Baker Street.

As I had 13 minutes to wait for a Watford-bound train, I set about taking some photos of my favourite Metropolitan station.

With photos taken I boarded my now waiting train, at platform 1, and moved towards the front carriage, so that I could be one of the first off, on reaching my destination. As we pulled out of the 'S-shaped' platform the rain, which had fallen incessantly for the last few hours, finally stopped.

At 12:53 I received the call to say that Keilyn had arrived in Peterborough and had been collected. 

Once at Watford I walked home beneath a now almost cloudless sky. The sun had burnt away the clouds, drying the ground and raising the temperature back to what it should be for this time of year.

Not the longest trip to London, but some things were marked off my 'to do list', so I was happy.

Distance travelled:

• Bus - 0.0 miles
• Cable Car - 0.0 miles
• Car - 0.0 miles
• DLR - 0.0 miles
• Ferry - 0.0 miles
• Overground - 0.0 miles
• River Boat - 0.0 miles
• Taxi - 0.8 miles
• Train - 72 miles (Keilyn)
• Underground - 35.5 miles
• Walking - 1 mile